Old-timer residents, in my East Anaheim neighborhood, fondly remember when the Rio Vista Inn was a well-visited steakhouse. It was the place to have a family dinner nearby. Now the Inn is a dive bar, known for its tacos snacks and karaoke sessions. Together with a next door taqueria and a Del Taco, they practically anchor what is supposed to be the neighborhood shopping mall. A chain supermarket was the neighborhood grocery store until closing down a few years ago, during the economic recession of the George W years.

The empty grocery building became a gathering place for homeless people, before the shelter opened a few blocks away. Since then, most neighbors living in the houses of the residential tracts avoid patronizing the mall, and those living in the apartment buildings seem to enjoy the remaining businesses.

The dissatisfaction with the mall predates the recession, contacting city government throughout the years, which has provided code and police enforcement. Countless meetings with mayors, council members, city managers, department heads ended up with promises or corrective measures that solved or improved some aspects but did not address the question of how to effectively revitalize the mall.

The deterioration of the shopping center was not adequately addressed until the district governance system was adopted. It became a priority item in the agenda of the council member representing the district, Steve Faessel. Mr Faessel arranged meetings with senior city departments managers and neighbors. He also located the owners of the mall, and discussed their willingness to improve the condition of the property.

Two factors emerged as fundamental barriers to a feasible and desirable outcome: the multiple owners and the evolution of the market regarding retail stores. Negotiating with several owners, there are at least four , is very challenging.

According to the city experts, most retail businesses are no longer placing stores in locations that are not in dense customer traffic areas. If retail is no longer attracted to small, out of the way neighborhoods, the chances to have a reputable business occupying the empty building in the mall are slim. No wonder that even the extinct “Fresh and Easy” was not interested in this location, neither a subsidized Disney gift store.

Some of the existing small businesses are fairly successful, such as the taqueria, the chorizo factory ,the pizza place, the laundromat; we also have the classical liquor store and doughnut shop. In addition to having an empty building, a large piece of the property is parking area, behind businesses, often occupied by polluting trucking rigs. The property is underutilized.

The most effective restoration of this area, according to the experts, could be the rezoning of the property, from commercial to mixed use. This would incorporate small business with some sort of residential development, a trend that is taking place in many cities. The probably requirement of offering affordable housing in this type of development may not be welcome by some neighbors.

Another major issue would be that the owners of the property may not be willing to sell, or asking an extremely high price. I understand that a potential developer was discouraged after contacting some of the owners. The price to sell their share of the property was unreasonable high.

When we are practically dealing with slum landlords unwilling to cooperate, the undesirable “eminent domain” could be worthwhile to consider. We have been waiting too long for the traditional market forces to work its magic in this area in a balanced manner.

In this scenario, Jordan Brandman could be more effective than Steve Faessel. Mr Faessel would not break with this mostly conservative dogma aversion to eminent domain. Brandman, as a Business Democrat, would be more open to explore this option. If it does not work out, we will continue living with the mall as it is now , and who knows, Brandman’s platform of bringing a Trader Joe’s to Anaheim, we are even willing to settle for an Aldi, could have a greater support in this district.

By the time that the next district 5 election takes place, Brandman would’ve established residence long enough to avoid the effective Bushala’s type of carpetbagging signs like the ones below. A freshly painted empty building may be still waiting for him.

About Ricardo Toro

Anaheim resident for several decades. In addition to political blogging, another area of interest is providing habitats for the Monarch butterfly.
http://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2013/12/caterpillars-crossing-in-a-city-at-a-crossroads/

The expansive definition of “carpetbagger,” which I believe Bushala uses, if that if you move anywhere because you think that it is a better place to run for office than where you moved from, you’re a carpetbagger. I think that there has to be some statute of limitations, but unlike him I’ve liked in around 20 cities (in maybe a dozen states) in my life, so some transience bothers me less.

Then don’t try to pass off falsehoods as truth. I find that quite rude.

Otherwise, I’ll be happy to continue to provide direct rebukes for bad behavior.

Greg Diamond

Posted October 12, 2018 at 12:04 AM

You’re completely and shamelessly wrong.

What are the factual assertions I made?

(1) That the expansive definition of “carpetbagger” … if that if you move anywhere because you think that it is a better place to run for office than where you moved from, you’re a carpetbagger.

= That is true — it is indeed the expansive definition of “carpetbagging.”

(2) That I believe that Bushala uses that definition.

= This is also true — I DO believe, based on my recollection of comments left by him and his supporters here and on FFFF, that he does take this expansive view of carpetbagging. I concede that there may be a time limit that makes it less expansive — AS I SAID –but if so, I don’t recall it. I also concede that my recollection may be wrong — I worded it so tentatively for that exact reason — in which event what I’d expect from a NON-schoolmarm is a correction and an explanation of what his true position is (which you must know to have called me a liar) rather than this crap.

(3) I say that I’ve lived in about 20 cities. This is true.

(4) I believe that Tony has not. This may be false — though given his hig valuation of “terroir” it would shock me — but in any event would be an error of inference rather than a lie.

(5) People being transient bothers me less than it does Tony. This is an opinion, based on my reading of his words and actions, rather than an assertion of fact. It can be correct or incorrect, to various degrees, but in any event isn’t capable of being a lie.

My memory formation and retrieval is impaired since my stroke, Ryan, but my analytical abilities (part of the “executive” cognitive function) still test out just fine. I have to take special pains now not to make un-couched assertions — and as you see from the above, I do. So you should either identify what you think my specific “bad behavior” is, and judge it on its logical form and precise wording, or stop the schoolmarm rebukes.

P.S.: you are still a good guy. <=== opinion

Ryan Cantor

Posted October 12, 2018 at 11:36 AM

No one has suggested #1.

I haven’t ever seen Tony suggest #2.

Great, #3 diversifies your life. In your many local campaigns, no one (which necessarily includes Tony) has accused you of being a carpetbagger.

#4, no idea, but seems plausible.

#5, see 1-3.

P.S., Thanks. Same team.

Tony Bushala

Posted October 12, 2018 at 2:29 PM

Ryan, on #3, I bet in five minutes I could find 10 homeless dudes who could make the same claim.

Greg Diamond

Posted October 12, 2018 at 5:23 PM

So what IS your definition of “carpetbagger,” Tony? Did my impression of your view of the term misrepresent you?

Much of the time I agree with you about the people you call carpetbaggers, such as when you go after candidates with sham residences, such as Galloway and Sidhu. (Yes, I disagreed on slamming Joe Kerr, but he did have long-standing ties to the area — and anyway, wouldn’t you rather see him in the runoff right now than Chaffee? Kerr is, at least, a decent and thoughtful guy.)

If Kerr stayed here for four more years and ran again, would he be immune from the charge? What about two? Or eight? Oe how many?

Sure, if you’re talking about 20 cities within Southern California, and sleeping there when they have no other permanent residence. I’m talking about establishing residency in — and lawfully voting in — the following states:

While your whimsical speculation about Brandman’s possible effectiveness vs Faessels attributed philosophy (beyond his EFFORTS) is totally unsupported, I would personally be overjoyed if Brandman moved to D5 (or ANYWHERE outside D2 ). His “Imagine a Trader Joe’s here !” evokes Pied Piper without a flute. Beyond the Beach Blvd report’s mention that the area demographics DO NOT SUPPORT high end retail, a trip about a mile away to Buena Park Downtown (Mall) area should clarify the point. The area’s anchor is Wal-Mart Sears ( soon to vanish ?) and Kohl’s. Boutique home improvement store OSH also folding with traffic near zero in its almost-a year life. The new Grocery put in across La Palma was NOT a Trader Joe’s, but (a distant corporate relative) ALDI a DISCOUNTER. Retail ( suffering across the board nationwide ) is a competitive business that can only afford to locate WHERE THE MARKET (traffic) WILL GIVE IT CASH AND PROFITS, (demographics) NOT because of fervent wishes while clicking ruby slippers together. TWO ENTIRE RETAIL CENTERS HAVE DISAPPEARED to the south in Stanton on Beach Blvd because of that hard economic reality. One (at Orangewood) IS NOW mixed use (hardly ANY retail) the other in demolition for (???) Are memories short of Brandman liking reports for waving in the air (Remember CSL for Angel Stadium ???) over actually reading and digesting ?

I still have questions about your center’s slim results to this point. If property has multiple owners, are these comingled, or distinct / such that repurpousing could proceed with or without them? (I am thinking of Buena Park’s “The Source” which was done EXCLUDING the Pizza Hut /donut shop, evidently resisting) Has Eminent Domain been used AT ALL (or still even possible ?) for commercial after Redevelopment vanished? Wouldn’t the owner of the former Ralphs, with more at stake for vacancy than adjoining smaller businesses, become a primary motivator, or do obstinate owners / parking encumberances exist on both sides of it? Is the affordable housing requirement “probable” or “actual”, and would it be “unwelcome” compared to current problems? Or are all these questions just new to ME ?

Also to note, we STILL have two AT LARGE council members and City Staff is NOT under District “limitation” – have these avenues been investigated, or has finger-pointing elsewhere been the rule ? Although under different circumstance, strip center rehab HAS been done recently (Magnolia /Lapalma Rite-Aid, etc) and I don’t think eminent domain was used but still unclear if it is even allowed post- redevelopment.

Not to belabor the subject but a few council meetings back, wasn’t a former market property on Anaheim Blvd converted with City/private participation to an education/community center of some sort ? Would area needs of this type be appropriately served here, and would possibilities exist for similar funding opportunities ?

Brandman was effective voting for business initiatives on behalf of Disney, Pringle (remember him?), Art Moreno. Faessel consistently votes along Murray and Kring. Not much difference between both of them, but subtle enough to differ on certain circumstances.

Regarding the under-performing business and their impact on the surrounding community, or just the mere existence of neglected/blighted areas, the city no longer has redevelopment or block grants to revitalize them. The owner of the former Ralph’s must be content with the tax deductions of an empty building.

We are left to the opinion of the experts, urban planners and alike, as to the feasible solutions. The scope of the solution depends on how the affected community reacts. See Dolores’comment below.

I am not aware whether eminent domain has recently been applied. I understand that during the Pringle’s mayor tenure, the exclusion of eminent domain became part of the city charter.

I grew up in this area, lived in the apartments across, I think they are called Mariposa. I then lived in the condos over on Frontera, then the apartments. Went to Rio, Kraemer then Valencia. With that being said, I remember the Ralph’s and this shopping center being the closest for us to go to specially as a key latch child. Now as an adult it is sad to see how the center has become a rest stop for truckers and homeless. I myself enjoy the Rio and visit quiet often. It’s a place where everybody knows your name and the food is Amazing! Oswaldo the cook not only makes the most amazing Nachos but the Hanger Steak is perfection. Yes it is a dive bar, but it’s our neighborhood bar. It’s come along way from being a place of violence with drug dealers hanging out at the corner payphone. It’s just a close bar where you can go meet up with friends and Kareoke! Oh and did I mention it’s only a $7 Uber drive home.

Aside from the Rio I think that we need a store close by, I would settle for an Aldi better than nothing! I think that if we bring back a store and more foot traffic that would help the homeless population leave. There are many apartment complex near by and the closest store is Vons up Lincoln Northgate down the way, both more than 2 miles away.

I really hope they don’t make anymore “affordable housing” units…. those are just unaffordable living spaces, made and sponsored by rich corporations using these Grant’s as an excuse to laundry their money because if you ask me, the average citizen these places don’t help anyone out other than the companies making money from building these places. Between making more shelters or more “affordable housing” Anaheim seems to think that’s how they will solve the homeless problem. I think focusing on Mental health and drug addiction is what really needs to be dealt with. In reality they don’t want to fix the homeless issue. The bigger it gets, the more places they have to make themselves look like a hero and laundry the money they get.

I’m going off the subject but, as an Immigrant Mexican America single mother of 2 and helping raise my drug addict sisters kids, being homeless has never been an option for me. I work hard for my money, never catch a break. I don’t qualify for any government assistance and yes I like to spend some days at the bar after a long week at work. However I have work ethics and a responsibility to continue and not just give up as many entitled Americans born I this country do!

We need to fight and get our community back to where it was, stop all these money hungry careless people from taking office to serve themselves and their pockets!!!!

Dolores, thanks for your feedback. There is a different perception of the quality of the mall and what needs to be done. Some of the explanation lies in the demographics data provided in the link below. A 80K income household, especially non-hispanic, may not enjoy the type of existing business. They may like a Chiplote, a Starbuck, as they can afford it.

If an Aldi or Grocery Outlet could not be attracted, perhaps the 99 Cents could be enticed to move if the lease is lower than its current location. Even if the building is occupied, is it worhtwhile to maintain the current configuration if a mixed development could upgrade the area?